![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Geese-landing-for-overnight-stay-300x199.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
In the news from Guam, an alleged Bank of Guam credit card skimmer from Italy, a rather suave-looking, if confused, fellow going by the name of Nicola Marinelli was told that he\u2019s considered a flight risk and would not be released on a $10,000 bond.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/pacificnewscenter.com\/alleged-atm-skimmer-seeks-release-to-go-back-home-to-italy\/<\/a><\/p>\n Marinelli\u2019s legal counsel, Earl Espiritu, in opposition, requested for his release on personal recognizance as he is innocent until proven guilty. Espiritu further noted that the offense is non-violent and that he is no danger to the community at this time.<\/p>\n \u201cAccording to the declaration, Mr. Marinelli made admissions to the police; that his sole purpose to be on Guam was to commit crimes,\u201d the AG\u2019s Office, however, argued.<\/p>\n Well, at least he was honest about his intentions, wasn\u2019t he? In my view, he\u2019d be much better off consoling lonely, middle-aged divorc\u00e9es or widows, letting them have the benefit of his wunnafulla company at the finest restaurants everywhere, as well as buying him just the right kind of clothing to bolster his image.<\/p>\n He has definitely missed his calling.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, in the Marshall Islands, this June article from Wall Street Journal describes the problem with running an economy on a strictly cash basis (on the island of Ebeye), and the laborious process of getting money transferred to a relative still living on Ebeye.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/unbanked-marshall-islands-gets-further-cut-off-from-the-worlds-money-1529665201<\/a><\/p>\n Since Islanders don\u2019t have access to the military-only Bank of America branch on Kwajalein, the people who live on these tiny atolls are somewhat impaired, at the very least. And yes, you have to have a US Passport to go visit there, because the Marshalls are an independent Republic.<\/p>\n It seems to me that if they’d view their tiny atoll as a tourist attraction, their economy might perk up a bit. Not criticising at all, but they do need someone who can see that kind of potential in their tiny and rather remote island group. Where they are located, with little to no light pollution from cities, seems to be a perfect place for solar and lunar eclipse viewing, as well as a great place to see meteor showers and do some dark skies photography. There are also the lagoons, which probably harbor a lot of stuff left from WWII, in addition to the fish and other sea critters.<\/p>\n While you can\u2019t visit the Wake Island atoll if you\u2019re a civilian tourist, it\u2019s still ours, sitting out there 2143 miles west of Hawaii and acting as a refueling stopover for big military planes. Wilkes Island is a national bird sanctuary. The lagoons would probably be great for snorkelers and SCUBA people, but as the 15th<\/sup> AF Wing says, \u2018Sorry, no tourists\u2019.\u00a0 http:\/\/www.15wing.af.mil\/UNITS\/Det-1-Wake-Island\/<\/a><\/p>\n It would probably be a great place view eclipses, both solar and lunar. Maybe some day, they’ll loosen up a little.<\/p>\n However, if you\u2019re really interested in doing tourist stuff in Micronesia and the Pacific, there is plenty of stuff to do on Guam and Saipan, including a \u2018boonie stomp\u2019, to some of their really beautiful natural waterworks. \u00a0http:\/\/www.micronesiatour.com\/events?page=2<\/a><\/p>\n In addition, between now and Christmas, there are plenty of scheduled things to do to keep any tourist busy with hiking, running, biking and \u2013athlon events, never mind the food and drink facilities.\u00a0\u00a0http:\/\/www.micronesiatour.com\/events?page=1<\/a><\/p>\n If you do go there, send us pictures and wear something besides a pink bathrobe.<\/p>\n All is still quiet on the Western Front. Let’s hope it stays that way. \u00a0That\u2019s all for now.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"